In June 2015, two convicted murderers broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in New York’s North Country—launching the most extensive manhunt in state history and dominating the news cycle with the sex scandal linking both inmates to the prison employee who aided them.
Double murderer Richard Matt and cop-killer David Sweat slipped out of their cells, followed a network of tunnels and pipes under the thirty-foot prison wall, and climbed out of a manhole to freedom. For three weeks, residents of local communities were prisoners in their own homes as law enforcement swept the wilderness near the Canadian border.
Dannemora is a gripping account of the bold breakout and the search that ended with one man dead, one man back in custody—and lingering questions about those who set the deadly drama in motion.
“A dramatic story. . . . A true community insider’s perspective on a legendary manhunt.”
—Booklist
“A gripping account of the daring prison break. . . . True crime fans will be more than satisfied.”
—Publishers Weekly
“More than just a page-turner—a true story about people who are dedicated to seeking justice.”
—Robert K. Tanenbaum
“An exciting read, full of shocking revelations. . . . Don’t miss this stunning true story.”
—Gregg Olsen
“Eye-opening, provocative . . . a true story, full of shocking twists and turns.”
—M. William Phelps
Industry Reviews
Praise for Dannemora
"Some say the justice system doesn't work or is warped. They may be partially correct. But there are those in the system who devote themselves tirelessly to make it work. If you want to know who they are, you must read this book. It is more than just a page-turner-it is a true story about people who are dedicated to seeking justice."
-New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum
"Charles Gardner's eye-opening, provocative new book about the 2015 prison escape of convicted killers Richard Matt and David Sweat is a unique perspective from this author, a lifelong resident of New York's North Country and 25-year corrections professional. Gardner answers important questions as to how the violent criminals were able to break out of a maximum-security facility, who helped them, and why. The book shows the heroic behavior of law enforcement as well as local civilians during the three-week manhunt. With meticulous detail, Dannemora provides a dramatic timeline of a true story, full of shocking twists and turns, and close-up portraits of the people who lived it. I was deeply engrossed in this story, which I thought I knew-that is, until now."
-New York Times bestselling author M. William Phelps
"Dannemora is an exciting read, full of shocking revelations about the prison escape of two stone-cold killers, the high-level bad decisions that allowed it to happen, and the heroic law enforcement efforts in the three-week manhunt. Charles Gardner takes us behind the scenes of a community under lockdown. Don't miss this stunning true story."
-New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen
"Gripping. Gardner's own background as a former corrections officer in the New York state prison system enables him to focus on root causes that made the escape possible.True crime fans will be more than satisfied."
-Publishers Weekly
"Dramatic.. A true community insider's perspective on a legendary manhunt."
-Booklist"
